Field hospital bed



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ATTOQNE# United States Patent O 3,359,576 FIELD HOSPITAL BED Benjamin D. Pile, 50-20 213th St., Bayside, N.Y. 11364 Filed July 7, 1966, Ser. No. 564,510 6 Claims. (Cl. 5-111) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention `relates to collapsible structures, and particularly to those of a foldable nature such as a lield cot or a bed.

The structure collapses by removing each leg from its individual mounting and folding at the hinged center. The legs are not loose, but are carried by longitudinal tension supports which extend parallel to the long axis of the frame from opposite leg mounting sleeves. The particular utility stems from the compact nature of the collapsed structure due to the absence of bulky leg hinges coupled with the stability when assembled necessary for a field hospital bed due to the tension support members which act on the frame through the legs and leg mounting sleeves.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes Without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l 1. Field of the invention This invention pertains to collapsible frames for use in portable beds and cots. The invention includes also` an embodiment having elevated sections at either end for the head and feet of a patient, and mounting sleeves for trays and article supports which may be releasably mounted on the frame.

2. Description f the prior art The operation of `a field hospital requires a stable portable bed. The stability requiredmust be combined with a structure which folds into a compact unit for storage and transportation. Although the longitudinal tension' member utilized in this invention for the required stable assembly is known, the prior art describes no device with the required stability which is foldable into a cornpact package. y

SUMMARY The frame of this invention may be used in either a cot or a bed.

The compact nature of the collapsed cot or bed makes it readily transportable and efficient for storage purposes. This particular utility stems from -a unique feature Whereby each leg of said structure is separable from its mounting sleeve, but fixed to the tension support in such a manner that no hinge connections are needed between the legs and the frame. This feature allows the folding of the structure to a thickness of about three to three and one half inches without the disadvantage of separate legs, easily lost during transportation.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a collapsible structure having a longitudinal tension memfice ber, and legs carried by said member but separable from the frame.

It is also an object to provide a rectangular, collapsible structure having a longitudinal tension support which acts with lboth a longitudinal and transverse. component, and coacts with the legs at the corners thereof when the legs are mounted, but releases when the legs are dismounted.

It is a further object to provide a collapsible frame structure having compact features when in a collapsed condition, but capable of functioning as a standard hospital bed to include an elevation capability at either the head or the foot or both.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects will become readily apparent with reference to the drawings and following description wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame of this invention functioning as a cot;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame of this invention adapted for use as a hospital bed;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away View of the locking mechanism along line 5 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an alternate locking mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the bed of FIG. 4 partially cut away to show the -alternate legs for the tray, and the disposition of optional sleeves for holding the tray or a utility support;

FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of the tray taken along line 8-S of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows the structure folded.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of this invention consists of a frame, 1, having sleeves, 2, disposed in the corners thereof and adapted to receive the legs, 3. A longitudinal tension support, 4, which preferably is a 3/32 inch cable, extends through a sleeve, 2, at either end of the structure, and terminates in a ball, 5, which closes the upper end 0f the sleeve, 2, to maintain the cable iu a xed position.

The legs, 3, are slidably received in the sleeve, 2, for mounting. The tension support, 4, extends from hole, 6, through the end portion of the leg, 3. In this manner the leg, 3, may be withdrawn from the sleeve, 2, but remains attached to the structureand carried by support, 4.

The frame, 1, has folding hinges, 7, and may be assembled when unfolded by inserting the legs, 3, in sleeves, Z. The position of hole, 6, in leg, 3, is related to the slack in tension support, 4, so that when leg, 3, is inserted in sleeve, 2, support, 4, is in tension exerting a vertical force against leg, 3, urging it into sleeve, 2, and a horizontal force bowing said frame, 1, to counterbalance any load.

The hinges, 7, are further supported transversely by a central support member, S. Member, 8, has a recess, 9, in either side. Recess, 9, may receive a ball, 10, attached to tension support, 4, or the connection may be made in any other suitable manner. However, for maximum eicency the sides, 11, of central support member, S, should form a 4S degree angle with the horizontal, and extend between the hinge, 7, and tension support, 4.

For greater stability legs, 3, are angled outwardly from a point, 12, located below hole, 6. It should be noted however that the angle should not exceed a few degrees due to the fact that base, 13, should not extend beyond the outer edge of the frame, 1. If base, 13, does extend beyond the edge of frame, 1, the possibility exists of tripping people working -around the structure.

The basic collapsible structure described above may be used with a variety of functional attachments.

To utilize the structure as a hospital bed the following suggested modifications may be incorporated without changing the basic nature of the structure.

An inner frame, 20, may be mounted within the legcarrying outer frame, 1. Preferably the inner frame should have hinges, 21, as shown in an exposed section of FIG. 4 for elevation of either the head or the foot of the bed. The inner frame, 20, carries the mattress, 24, which may be iniiatable.

For elevation a channel, 22, may be removably attached to the inner frame, 20, in any suitable manner such as a combined staple and latch. The channel, 22, may be bent to describe a sector of a circle having as its radius the distance from hinge, 21, to the channel connection, 23. To provide for a maximum of storage space under the bed when the frame is horizontal a few inches of channel, 22, adjacent the connection, 23, may have a slightly greater curvature.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate alternate channel locking assemblies, 27, 27', respectively. In FIG. 5 a friction cam, 29, having a lever, 30, is attached to the frame, 1, and disposed within channel, 22, and may be frictionally seated therein. Clockwise rotation of cam, 29, about pin, 28, as shown in phantom frees channel, 22, for elevation or depression.

n In FIG. 6, cam 29 `carries a pin, 32, for engaging holes, 33, in channel, 22. The locking mechanism functions as pin 32 is extended through hole, 33,- by counter clockwise motion of cam, 29. The pin then rests on stop, 34, carried by frame, 1. n

For proper elevation channel, 22, should be long enough to allow a 70 degree elevation of an end of inner frame, 20, about its hinges, 21.

In addition, to prevent an over extension of channel, 22, a stop notch,v35, may beincorporated at the end of said channel opposite staple, y23. An L-shaped member, 36, is rotatably attached to frame, 1, and allowed to ride on channel, 22. The L-shaped member, 36, will then Contact notch, 35, when maximum elevation is reached and prevent the involuntary disconnection of channel, 22, from locking mechanism, 27. Channel, 22, may be disconnected by manually rotating member, 36, away from notch, 35.

Utility sleeves, 40, may be mounted internally to frame, 1, as shown in FIG. 7. Sleeves, 40, may hold a T-support, 41, formosquito netting, or a hook support, 42, as shown in FIG. 4.

Sleeves, 40, may also be used to mount tray, 50, on frame, 1. As shown in FIG. 8, tray, 50, has two L-shaped legs, 51, rotatably mounted to the tray, and two T-shaped legs, 52. Each L-leg, 51, extending through the crossmember of a T-leg, 52, `and rotatably 'carrying said leg. Stop, 53, on leg, 52, regulates the height of the tray, 50, with relation to frame, 1, when leg, 52, is inserted in sleeve, 40. When a lower tray is needed leg, 452, is rotated into catch, 55, leaving leg, 51, in position to support the tray, 50, when inserted into `'a sleeve, 40. Tray, 50, may occupy a variety of positions on the frame depending lon the placement of sleeves, 40. Holes 40 maybe drilled at appropriate places on frame 1 to be used with sleeves, 40to mount the above described tray 'and supports. FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment which would allow tray mounting on either the end of frame, 1, either side,

or transversely thereto.

To collapse the bed, thetray, 50, and utility supports, 41 and 42, are removed. Channel, 22, is disengaged from lock mechanism, 27, by raising the end of inner frame, 20, disengaging stop, 36, from notch, 35, and rotating the end of frame, 20, about hinge, 21, until channel, 22, is free. The channel is then disengaged from frame, 20, by releasing staple, 23.

Legs, 3, are then pulled from sleeves, 2. Legs, 3, may have an optional brace, 6i), which is rotatably connected to each leg. The brace, 60, should be releasably connected to frame, 1, however so that legs, 3, may he carried only by support, 4.

Frame, 1, may then be folded and the legs, 3, channels, 22, utility supports, 41 and 42, and tray, 50, packed within the folded frame. In a collapsed form the bed is from 3 to 31/2 inches thick and weighs about 26 pounds, depending on the number of accessories used and whether the frames, 1 and 20, are tubular steel or not.

A eld cot utilizing the structure of this invention would consist only of a frame, 1, sleeves, 2, legs, 3, tension support, 4, and central support member, S. Frame, 1, carries the mattress, 24, as shown in FIG. ll

A wide variety of variations and modifications may be employed in the structure of this invention without departing from the basic concept thereof. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specic design herein described, but it is intended to include all mechanical equivalents obvious to one skilled in the arta I claim:

1. A collapsible support structure comprising:

(a) a rectangular, foldable, main frame; Y

(b) a downwardly opening sleeve disposed in each' corner of said frame and aixed thereto, for receiving leg members;

(c) a leg member having an upper hollow portion slidably mounted in each said sleeve;

(d) a centrally located transverse support member extending between the sides of said main frame and carried by said frame; and

(e) elongated tension means having opposite end sections, each end section passing upwardly through the hollow upper portion of a leg member, through a sleeve, and terminally affixed to the upper end of said sleeve, said tension means Vfurther removably engaged by said transverse support, so that when said structure is in a supporting position said tension means transmits a counter-balancing force to said frame through said transverse support and said sleeves, and urging said legs into said sleeve.

2. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) a mattress supporting inner frame mounted in said main frame, said inner frame having a hinged end portion;

(b) .a detachable elevation guide releasably secured to the end portion of said inner frame; and

(c) a locking assembly secured to the main frame and coacting with said guide for fixing the end portion of said inner frame in a preselected posit-ion relative to said main frame and supporting said end portion, so that the end 'portion of said inner frame may be rotated about the hinge connection to a preselected position relative to the plane of the main frame and locked in said position to said main frame.

3. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) 2a plurality of apertured lugs secured to said main frame; and

(b) a second support means, having at least one leg member slidably mounted in said apertured lugs, for supporting articles above the plane of said vmain frame.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the support means comprises a tray having a plurality of leg members, said leg members mutually spaced .a predetermined distance andslidably mounted in said apertured lugs.

'5.'The structure of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) a mattress supporting inner frame mounted .in-said main frame, and carrying an end portion hingedly connected to said inner frame;

(b) an arcuate channel releasably secured at an en'd thereof to the end portion of said inner frame;

(c) an eccentric cam llocking assembly secured to said main frame and registering on the interior of said channel, said assembly having a disengaging lever connected to said cam, said cam normally urging said channel into said main frame, so that said cam coacts with said channel and frame to provide a friction lock, lock-ing the end portion of said inner hole in the channel, and resting on said stop said cam normally vurging said channel against said main frame, and a disengaging lever mounted on said cam for rotating said cam away from said channel and said pin out of the hole.

frame after said end is rotated about the hinge connection to a preselected position relative to the plane of the main frame.

6. The structure of claim 2 wherein:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,693,537 ll/1928 Adkins et al 5--114 (a) the elevation guide comprlses an arcuate channel 10 3 006 000 10/1961 De Groot 5 111 having at least one hole extending through the base 3037215 6/1962 Pile 5 111 thereof, said channel releasably secured to the inner 3:045257 7/1962 Knapp-:z ln 5 111 frame at an end thereof; and (b) the locking assembly comprises a stop secured to FOREIGN PATENTS the main frame, an eccentric cam disposed Within the 15 34,579 4/1913 Sweden.

channel and secured to the main frame, a locking pin mounted on the peripheral surface of said cam, said pin when 4in a locked position extending through a BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE COMPRISING: (A) A RECTANGULAR, FOLDABLE, MAIN FRAME; (B) A DOWNWARDLY OPENING SLEEVE DISPOSED IN EACH CORNER OF SAID FRAME AND AFFIXED THERETO, FOR RECEIVING LEG MEMBERS; (C) A LEG MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER HOLLOW PORTION SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN EACH SAID SLEEVE; (D) A CENTRALLY LOCATED TRANSVERSE SUPPORT MEMBER EXTENDING BETWEEN THE SIDES OF SAID MAIN FRAME AND CARRIED BY SAID FRAME; AND (E) ELONGATED TENSION MEANS HAVING OPPOSITE END SECTIONS, EACH END SECTION PASSING UPWARDLY THROUGH THE HOLLOW UPPER PORTION OF A LEG MEMBER, THROUGH A SLEEVE, AND TERMINALLY AFFIXED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SLEEVE, SAID TENSION MEANS FURTHER REMOVABLY ENGAGED BY SAID TRANSVERSE SUPPORT, SO THAT WHEN SAID STRUCTURE IS IN A SUPPORTING POSITION SAID TENSION MEANS TRANSMITS A COUNTER-BALANCING FORCE TO SAID FRAME THROUGH SAID TRANSVERSE SUPPORT AND SAID SLEEVES, AND URGING SAID LEGS INTO SAID SLEEVE. 